Collapsible form



Oct. 16, 1923. l 1,470,612

G. E. BRoNsoN COLLAPSIBLE FORM Filed Oct. 20. 1921 ATTORNEYS.

of the pins are adapted to be inserted in sockets in the core bit 11 and sockets 31 in the runnerbox 32, circular recesses 33 and 34 being formed in the top casting and core bit, respectively, to receive these discs, the securing pins 29 preventing the discs turning in the sockets. The elongated openings 28 are adapted to receive one end of pins 35, the other ends being inserted in sockets 21 and 22 in the ends of the core sections. These pins together with the cani element 36 retain the sections in assembled relation in a manner presently to be described.

The top of the outer section 10 of the mold is provided with a flaring rim 37 providing a top shoulder 38 upon which the runnerbox 32 is mounted preferably by means of supporting pins 39. These pins are reduced at their opposite ends at 40 which are adapted to be inserted in sockets y 41` and 42-in the outer section 10 and runnerbox 32, respectively, the enlarged central portion of these pins sustaining the bottom of the runnerbox spaced above the shoulder 33 to providea sight opening so that the caster may observe the inside of the mold and to provide for the escape of gases therefrom. The runnerbox is provided with a flaring funnel shaped recess 43 from which openings 44klead vertically, through which the metal poured in the funnel iiows to the space 45 between the outer section 10 and the core.

The cam elena-ent is preferably provided with. four longitudinally extending ribs 46, these ribs extending substantially throughout-the entire length of the core and having their outeil edges rounded, shown. (lne end of this element is reduced at 47 to receive .the lower disc 26 and is further reduced below this section and threaded for a nut 48. At the upper end of the ribs a cylindrical portion 49 is provided to receive the dise 25 and above this is an enlarged portion 50 extending through the runnerbox to the top thereof on which is threaded a nut 51 which may be polygonally shaped or provided with sockets 52 to receive a suitable instrument for turning the same to clamp the elements of the core together. The top of this element is also provided with an eye to receive the hook of a hoisting mechanism for withdrawing or transporting the core. or for the insertion of a bar whereby it may be turned to collapse the core.

In assembling the pins 29 are driven into the sockets 30 and 31 in the core bit and runnerbox respectively, with which they have a driving fit. Pins are also driven into sockets 23 and 24 in the ends of the core elements 13, these pins also having a driving lit. The cam element is then inserted through the runnerbox, after which it is inverted. The disc 25 is placed in position on the pins 29 and the cylindrical portion 49 of the cam element, and the core members 13 are then placed in position about the ribs 46 with the pins 35 in the top end thereof inserted in the elongated openings 23 in the disc 25. The disc 26 is now placed on the cylindrical portion 47 of the cam element with the pins 35 extending through the elongated openings 28 therein. The nut 48 is then threaded on the end of the core element clamping the disc 26 in position. The elements of the core and the runnerbox are then clamped together by means of the nut 51. The core bit 11 is now inserted in the end of casing 10 and secured therein by means of the pins 12. The assembled core is then lowered into the mold. the pins 29 entering the circular opening in the disc 26, and the pins 40 entering their respective sockets. The mold is now assembled ready for use.

In operation, the cam element is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 2 and reacts against the curved inner edges 18 ofthe lugs 16 and 17 to hold the core expanded, the sections taking the positions shown in full line in 'F ig. 2 and are prevented from separating by the action of the pins 35. As in this position, pressure from the lugs 16 and 17 is against the outer edges of the ribs 46. the sections are securely locked in expanded relation, there being` no tendency to rotate the cam element and the exterior surface of the core is one continuous surface. After the casting has been poured and hardened, turning of the cam element 36 counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2.y will move the ribs 46 thereof into recesses 19 and further movement will coact with the hooks 2O to draw the beveled edges of the sections inwardly, the sections moving about the sharp edges 14 as pivots, these edges resting against the inner surface of the casting and the side walls of recesses 33 and 34 in the runnerbox and core bit 11, the sections taking the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, pins allowing this by sliding in the elongated openings 28. The core may now be withdrawn from the casting as it bears thereagainst only along the sharp edges 14 the sections.

It has been found in actual practice that this mold produces a very homogeneous casting practically free from blow holes and pits. that the core is rigidly `held in expanded relation during the casting operation but is easilyand positively collapsed when it is desired to remove the same from the casting. In light castings the friction of the sharp edges 14 against the inner surface thereof may be sufcient to lift the casting from the mold when the core is withdrawn, and to prevent this suitable stripping lugs may be provided at the top of the outer section 10 of the mold to engage the top of the casting to prevent withdrawal have pivotal and sliding connection, means y thereof. ln a heavy casting, however, these lugs are not necessary and I have not, there-l fore, illustrated them in the drawing.`

Although I have shown and described my invention as applied vto a mold for casting tubular shapes, the principle of the collapsible feature is not confined thereto as l mayl use this form of collapsing structure for other purposes particularly in forming a collapsible block for blocking machines. In such machines the block is rotated and the long strips of thin sheet metal, as they come from the rolls, are Wound thereon. After the metal is woundV the block may be collapsed and the coil of metal then removed therefrom without taking the block from the winding shaft.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

l. A collapsibleform comprising a plurality of sections,` supporting elements at the ends of the sections with whichthey for retaining the sections in a given position, and means for moving inwardly one edge of each section about the other edge as apivot to collapse the form.

2. A collapsible form comprising a plu rality of sections with a sharp longitudinal edge at one side and the other sidebeveled,`

supporting elements at the ends of the scctions with which they a rc pivotally` and slidably connected, means for retaining the sec` tions with one side of the sharp edge of one section resting against the beveled, edge of the next adjacent section, and means for moving the beveled edge about thesharp edge asa pivot to collapse the form.

J5. A collapsible forni comprising a plurality of sections, and a rotatable cam elen` ment adapted. to hold theforni in expanded condition and upon rotation thereof to draw the sections inivardly'to collapse the form.

el. A collapsible form conxprising a pluralityv of sections, lugs on the inner walls of said, sections provided with a recess, and a rotatable cani clementy adapted to coact with the lugs to hol-d the form expanded and adapted upon turning thereof to coact with the recess to draw the sections inwardly to collapse the form. f 5. A collapsible forml comprising a pluVN rality of sections, lugs on the inner walls of the sections, and a cam element having ribs to engage the lugs and hold the secs tions in expanded relation, said ribs also adapted on turning of the cam clement to coact with the luos to collapse the form.

6. A collapsible form comprising a plu-` rality of sections, discs at the opposite ends of the sections having elongated openings therein, pins extending in the elongated openings and the ends of the sections, a cam clement mounted. to turn in the discs, and lugs on the sections coacting with the cam element to hold the sections expanded and to collapse the form.

7. A collapsible form comprising a plurality of sections, discs at the opposite ends ot' the sections having elongated openings therein, pins extending in the openings and the ends of the sections, a cam element mounted to turn inthe discs and provided with longitudinally extending ribs, and lugs on the sections coacting withk the ribs to hold the sections in expanded relatiomsaid' ribs also adapted upon turning of the cam` element to coact with thek lugs to `collapse the form.

8. A collapsible `core for use in casting tubular shapes, comprising a plurality of sections having a sharp longitudinal edge at one side, a cani element adapted to hold the sections in expanded relation, and means on the sections adapted to coact with the cam element to turn each section about the sharp edge as a pivot to collapse the core.

9. A collapsible core for use in casting tubular shapes, comprising' a plurality of sections having asharp longitudinal `edge at one side and beveled at the other side, said bevel adapted when the sections are in expanded relation to contact with one side of the sharp edge of the adjacent section, a cani element adapted to hold ther sections in expanded relation, and means on the sec`r tions adapted to coact with the cam element to move the beveled edges inwardly about the sharp edges as pivots to collapsethe forni; i

10. A collapsible core for use in casting tubular shapes, comprising a plurality of sections having a sharp longitudinal edgeat one side, discs at opposite ends of the sections provided with elongated openings, pins extending into the openings and the ends of the sections, a cam element mounted to turn in the discs, andmeans on the sections adapted to coact With `the cam element to retain the sections in expanded relation and adapted on turning of the cam yelement to coact with the same to turn the sections about the sharp edges as pivots to collapse` the core. l

l1. A collapsible core for use in casting tubular shapes, comprising a `plurality of sections having a sharp longitudinal edge at one side, supporting means at the ends of the sections with which they have `pivotal and slidable connection, and means to hold the sections in expanded relation and to turn the sections about the sharp edges as pivots to collapse the core.

l2'. A mold comprising an outer hollow section, a core bit in one end thereof, a run` nerbox spaced from the other end of the section and provided with pouring openings.

a collapsible core comprising a plurality of i a invasie means for holding the sections in expanded relation and for moving` the same to col-- .lapsed relation. i

13. A mold for casting tubular shapes comprising an outer hollow section, a core bit in one end thereof, a runncrbox spaced from the opposite end thereof and provided with pouring` openings, a collapsible core comprising a plurality of sections each havine' a sharp longitudinal edge at one side `thereof and its ends having pivotal and slidable connection with the core bit and run` nerbox, and means for holding` the sections in expanded relation and for turningthe sec` tions about the sharp edges as pivots to collapse the core. y

M. A mold for casting tubular shapes con'iprising an outer hollow section7 a core bit in one end thereof, a runnerbox spaced from the opposite end thereof and provided with pouring openings, a collapsible core comprising a plurality of sections, discs `mounted in the core bit and runnerbox, moans for securing the ends of the sections to the discs, and means mounted to turn in the discs to hold the sections in expanded relation and move the same to collapsed re` lation.

15. A collapsible form comprisinga plurality ofi sections`r discs at the ooposite ends of the sections having elongated openings therein, pins extendingin the elongated openings and the ends of the sections, a cam element mounted to turn in the discs, and lugs on the sections coacting with the cam element to hold the sections expanded-` 16. A collapsible form con'iprising a plurality of sections, discs at the opposite ends of the sections having elongated openings therein, pins extending in the openings and the ends of the sections, ya cam element mounted to turn in 'the discs and provided with longitudinally extending ribs, and lugs on the sections coacting with the ribs to hold the sections in expande-d relation.

17. A. collapsible core for use in casting tubular shapes, comprising a plurality of sections having a sharp longitudinal edge at one side, discs at opposite ends of the sections provided with elongated openings,

pins extending into the openings and the ends ol the sections, a cam element mounted to turn in the discs, and means on the sections adapted to coact with the cam elle` nient to retain the sections in expande-d re` lation. A

18. A mold for casting tubular shapes comprising an outer hollow section, a core kbit in one end thereof, a runnerbox spaced from the opposite end thereof and provided with pouring openings, a collapsible core comprising a plurality of sections, discs mounted in the core bit and runnerbox, means for securing the ends of the sections to the discs, and means mounted to turn in the discs to hold the sections in expanded relation.

19. A collapsible form comprising a plurality of sections, supporting elements at the ends of the sections, means for pivotally and slidably connecting the sections to said supporting elements, a cam element cornprising a bar mounted to rotate in the supporting elements and having longitudinally spaced stop means to position the support` ing elements thereon, said cam element and sections having coacting surfaces whereby the sections may be moved to expanded po sition, means on the bar for securing the elements in assembled relation, and means whereby the bar may be rotated.

20. A collapsible form comprising a plu-- rality of sections having a sharp longitudinal edge at one side, supporting elements at the ends of the sections, means for pivotally and slidably connecting the sections to said supporting elements, a cam element comprising a bar mounted to rotate` in thesupporting elements and having longitudinally spaced stop means to position the supporting elements thereon, said cani element and sections having coacting surfaces adapted on rotation of the cam `element to move the sections to expanded position or turn the sections .about the sharp edges as pivots to collapse the form, means on the bar for se` curing the elements in 4assembled relation` and means whereby the bar may be rotated.

In testimony whereof I aliix mv signature.

GEOllGE E. BRONSON. 

